The Lay of the Cid Part 9

LIX.

By the victory there much honor unto his beard he did.

And then the Count to his own tent was taken by the Cid.

He bade his squires guard him. From the tent he hastened then.

From every side together about him came his men.

The Cid was glad, so mighty were the spoils of that defeat.

For the lord Cid don Rodrigo they prepared great stock of meat.

But namely the Count don Remond, thereby he set no store.

To him they brought the viands, and placed them him before.

He would not eat, and at them all he mocked with might and main:

"I will not eat a mouthful for all the wealth in Spain; Rather will I lose my body and forsake my soul forby, Since beaten in the battle by such tattered louts was I."

LX.

My lord the Cid Roy Diaz you shall hearken what he said: "Drink of the wine I prithee, Count, eat also of the bread.

If this thou dost, no longer shalt thou be a captive then; If not, then shalt thou never see Christendom again."

LXI.

"Do thou eat, don Rodrigo, and prepare to slumber sweet.

For myself I will let perish, and nothing will I eat."

And in no way were they able to prevail till the third day, Nor make him eat a mouthful while they portioned the great prey.

LXII.

"Ho! Count, do thou eat somewhat," even so my lord Cid spoke, "If thou dost not eat, thou shalt not look again on Christian folk; If in such guise thou eatest that my will is satisfied, Thyself, Count, and, moreover, two n.o.blemen beside Will I make free of your persons and set at liberty."

And when the Count had heard it exceeding glad was he.

"Cid, if thou shalt perform it, this promise thou dost give, Thereat I much shall marvel as long as I shall live."

"Eat then, oh Count; when fairly thy dinner thou hast ta'en I will then set at liberty thee and the other twain.

But what in open battle thou didst lose and I did earn, Know that not one poor farthing's worth to thee will I return, For I need it for these henchmen who hapless follow me.

They shall be paid with what I win from others as from thee.

With the Holy Father's favor we shall live after this wise, Like banished men who have not any grace in the King's eyes."

Glad was the Count. For water he asked his hands to lave.

And that they brought before him, and quickly to him gave.

The Count of Barcelona began to eat his fill With the men the Cid had given him, and G.o.d! with what a will!

He who in happy hour was born unto the Count sate near:

"Ha! Count, if now thou dinest not with excellent good cheer, And to my satisfaction, here we shall still delay, And we twain in no manner shall go forth hence away."

Then said the Count: "Right gladly and according to my mind! "

With his two knights at that season in mighty haste he dined.

My lord the Cid was well content that all his eating eyed, For the Count don Remond his hands exceeding nimbly plied.

"If thou art pleased, my lord the Cid, in guise to go are we.

Bid them bring to us our horses; we will mount speedily.

Since I was first Count, never have I dined with will so glad, Nor shall it be forgotten what joy therein I had."

They gave to them three palfreys. Each had a n.o.ble selle.

Good robes of fur they gave them, and mantles fair as well.

Count don Remond rode onward with a knight on either side.

To the camp's end the Castilian along with them did ride.

"Ha! Count, forth thou departest to freedom fair and frank; For what thou hast left with me I have thee now to thank.

If desire to avenge it is present to thy mind, Send unto me beforehand when thou comest me to find.

Either that thou wilt leave thy goods or part of mine wilt seize."

"Ha! my lord Cid, thou art secure, be wholly at thine ease.

Enough have I paid to thee till all this year be gone.

As for coming out to find thee, I will not think thereon."

LXIII.

The Count of Barcelona spurred forth. Good speed he made.

Turning his head he looked at them, for he was much afraid Lest my lord the Cid repent him; the which the gallant Cid Would not have done for all the world. Base deed he never did.

The Count is gone. He of Bivar has turned him back again; He began to be right merry, and he mingled with his train.

Most great and wondrous was the spoil that they had won in war, So rich were his companions that they knew not what they bore.

CANTAR II

THE MARRIAGE OF THE CID'S DAUGHTERS

LXIV.

Here of my lord Cid of Bivar begins anew the Song.

Within the pa.s.s of Alucat my lord Cid made him strong, He has left Zaragoza and the lands that near it lie, And all the coasts of Montalban and Huesca he pa.s.sed by, And unto the salt ocean he began the way to force.

In the East the sun arises; thither he turned his course.

On Jerica and Almenar and Onda he laid hand, Round about Borriana he conquered all the land.

LXV.

G.o.d helped him, the Creator in Heaven that doth dwell Beside these Murviedro hath the Cid ta'en as well.

Then that the Lord was on his side, the Cid beheld it clear.

In the city of Valencia arose no little fear.

LXVI.

It irked them in Valencia. It gave them no delight, Be it known; that to surround him they planned. They marched by night They pulled up at Murviedro to camp as morning broke.

My lord the Cid beheld it and wondering much he spoke: "Father in Heaven, mighty thanks must I now proffer Thee.

In their lands we dwell and do them every sort of injury; And we have drunk their liquor, of their bread our meal we make.

If they come forth to surround us, justly they undertake.

Without a fight this matter will in no way be a-paid.

Let messengers go seek them who now should bear us aid; Let them go to them in Jerica and Alucat that are And thence to Onda. Likewise let them go to Almenar.

Let the men of Borriana hither at once come in.

In this place a pitched battle we shall certainly begin.

I trust much will be added to our gain in this essay."

They all were come together in his host on the third day.

And he who in good hour was born 'gan speak his meaning clear:

"So may the Creator aid us, my gallants hark and hear.

Since we have left fair Christendom--We did not as we would; We could no other--G.o.d be praised our fortune has been good.

The Valencians besiege us. If here we would remain, They must learn of us a lesson excelling in its pain.

LXVII.